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U.S. Department of Energy
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316 (a) and 316 (b) demonstrations, Cumberland Steam Plant. Volume 5. Effects of the Cumberland Steam Plant cooling-water intake on the fish populations of Barkley Reservoir

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6290349

Fish impingement was monitored at the Cumberland Steam Plant between August 1974 and July 1976. Eighty-nine samples produced 59 species, 43 of which were impinged at rates of less than one fish per day. This low level of removal is believed to be acceptable and is not expected to adversely impact the reservoir populations of these 43 species. Of the estimated 1.7 million fish impinged annually, skipjack herring, gizzard shad, threadfin shad, and freshwater drum comprised 97.6 percent. Comparison of the numbers impinged with estimated reservoir standing stock (based on 30 cove samples) indicates that only the impingement of skipjack exceeds one percent. It is believed that impingement does not adversely impact the Barkley Reservoir populations of these four species. Mooneye, carp, emerald shiner, channel catfish, white and yellow bass, bluegill, white crappie, and sauger were impinged in relatively low numbers compared to their expected reservoir densities, and it is believed that these numbers are not high enough to impact their populations. Futhermore, the annual impingement of 3349 individuals is not expected to constitute an adverse impact to the blue catfish population of Lake Barkley. Although very little is known concerning paddlefish biology in Tennessee Valley waters, the estimated annual numbers impinged compared with the estimated reservoir density (based on cove sampling) is low. Since cove sampling is known to underestimate paddlefish standing stocks, the numbers impinged appear to be well below one percent of the reservoir standing stock (numbers), and it is believed that the annual removal of 1943 paddlefish (mostly young-of-the-year and juveniles) is not sufficient to impact the Barkley Reservoir population.

Research Organization:
Tennessee Valley Authority, Norris (USA). Div. of Forestry, Fisheries and Wildlife Development
OSTI ID:
6290349
Report Number(s):
NP-1903745
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English